The next time you are heading to Pass Creek Canyon for some backcountry riding, there's a little restaurant in Mackay that's worth a stop.
Paul and Marianne Lanier know what snowmobilers want. Their Mackay restaurant is situated in the middle of some fantastic riding terrain and is very accommodating to snowmobilers. The Mine Hill Grill sits right on the corner of Main Street and Highway 93 that runs directly through town. With to-go deli sandwich lunches on the menu and the availability of text message orders (send your texts to 208-589-4861), sledders who need munchies for a day's ride on Mine Hill or up at Antelope are in luck.
The couple grew up next door to each other and the childhood friends eventually married. In 2007, they opened up the family restaurant, where three of their children pitch in to help out. Paul is an avid sledder and knows what snowmobilers want, even licensing the restaurant to be an Amsoil dealer for riders in a bind.
"The best thing on the menu for a sledder is the Club Roll-up; it's Paul's favorite to go riding with," Marianne said. "It's grilled chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, jack and cheddar cheese, with ranch for extra zing, all in a tortilla shell."
The diner also offers world famous burnt lemonade-a concoction that uses juice from lemons burned on a charcoal grill. "It's really good, sweeter than regular lemonade," she said. "It's a huge deal in Mackay. We also use it for smoothies and burnt lemon milkshakes."